Method for producing a photographic proof



27, 1957 'r. c. SIMPSON 2,804,002

METHOD FOR PRODUCING A PHOTOGRAPHIC PROOF Filed Feb. 23. 1955 THOME C. SIMPSON 1, "MA A} M 17 ATTY.

United States Patent METHOD FOR PRODUCING A PHOTOGRAPHIC PROOF Thone C. Simpson, Toledo, Ohio Application February 23, 1955, Serial No. 489,836

3 Claims. (Cl. 95-85) This invention relates to the production of photographic proofs of type forms or the like.

Heretofore in order to produce photographic proofs from type forms, it has been necessary first to arrange the type in the form in the desired manner and then print the same on paper. Then the paper containing the printed material is photographed in order to produce the proof. It is a desideratum to photograph the type directly and obviate the necessity of printing on paper. This is not only a quicker way of achieving the desired result but manifestly is a more economical and less expensive way.

An object is to produce a simple and efiicient method of producing photographic proofs without the necessity of first printing on paper from the type form.

Another object is to produce a simple and inexpensive apparatus for carrying out such method.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear, and for purposes of illustration but not of limitation, an embodiment of the invention is shown on the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an apparatus for producing photographic proofs directly from the type form;

Figure 2 is an enlarged top plan elevation with a part being broken away for purposes of clarity of the apparatus for illuminating the type face for photographic purposes; and

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view substantially on the line 33 of Figure 2.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises a box-like device having a base or platform which in this instance rests upon a suitable table or standard 11. The base has a somewhat raised central platform or center suitably to support the type form. Along opposite sides and resting or suitably secured to the platform 10 are longitudinally extending elongate boxes 13 consisting of upright outer sidewalls 15, opposite ends being closed by transversely extending walls 15a. The opposite side of the box is closed by an upright wall 18 which extends from one wall 15a to the opposite wall 15a. The top of each of the boxes is closed by a cover 16 which is connected to the outside wall 15 by hinges 17. Each of the inner walls 18 of the respective boxes is provided with an intermediate longitudinally extending slot to receive and support a transversely disposed glass plate or panel 19. As shown, the side edges of the plate 19 are in this instance flush wtih the inner face of the walls 18 and the plate extends from one of the walls 15a to the other wall. As shown, the glass panel 19 is spaced above the top surface of the raised center portion 12 of the platform 10. In each of the boxes 13 is a source of light and in this instance such source constitutes fluorescent tubes 20 which extend from end to end of the boxes and is disposed relatively close to and in parallel relation with the adjacent edge of the glass panel 19, thereby to project a beam of light through the opposite edge portions of the glass panel for eifecting edge lighting.

The underside of the glass panel 19, or at least that much of the under surface with which the type comes in contact, is coated with a suitable plastic as indicated at 22. This coating may be of polymer plastic which does not absorb moisture and has high elasticity. A type form 21 of any well known and conventional structure which contains the individual type such as letters, etc. is disposed in the space between the raised central portion of the platform 10 and the underside of the glass panel 19 and in such manner that the type is pressed into engagement with the plastic. Thus the type within the type form is not in direct contact with the underside of the glass plate' but is in contact with the plastic coating. Manifestly, the plastic is a colorless one and must have the desired light refractory properties and preferably of substantially the same light refractory properties as the glass panel itself. Thus the beam of light which is projected by the fluorescent tubes is interrupted by the type which is in engagement with the plastic. Thereby the type face is illuminated and readily visible from above so that the camera 23 which is mounted on a suitable pedestal and in the desired position above the panel 19 can readily photograph the type which is illuminated as above explained. Thus a photographic proof can readily be obtained since only the type engaging the plastic coating will be illuminated sufiiciently to enable the-proof to be quickly made.

Numerous changes in details of construction, arrangement and choice of materials may be effected without departing from the spirit of the invention, especially as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. Apparatus for producing a photographic proof which comprises a housing, a glass panel flatwise in said housing and exposed at the top, compartments at opposite edge portions of said panel and receiving the panel edge portions, said compartments being closed at the top, bottom and side Walls, a source of light Within each compartment for projecting light beams through the edge portions of said panel, a colorless plastic of high elasticity and moisture-free properties on the under face of said panel, means for introducing a type form to the under side of the panel to enable the type to contact the plastic, and a camera disposed at the opposite face of the panel.

2. Method of illuminating printing type for enabling same to be photographed, such method consisting projecting a beam of artificial light through an edge of a panel of glass or the like to cause same to travel longitudinally thereof, said panel having on one face thereof a thin coating of clear colorless plastic of substantially the same light refractory power as that of said panel, and impressing a type form into the coating closely to the panel face so that the type face alone is sufiiciently illuminated so that same can be photographed from the face thereof opposite to the coated panel face.

3. Method of illuminating printing type for enabling same to be photographed, such method consisting projecting a shrouded beam of artificial light through 0pposite edges of a panel of glass or the like to cause same to travel longitudinally thereof, said panel having on one face thereof a thin coating of clear colorless plastic of substantially the same light refractory power as that of said panel, and impressing a type form into the coating closely to the panel face so that the type face alone is sufficiently illuminated so that same can be photographed from the face thereof opposite to the coated panel face.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

